We have been enlightened

Archbishop John Donoghue of Atlanta celebrated his 76th birthday in August, so he's now 16 months beyond the regular retirement age for bishops. It's not surprising, then, that rumors are beginning to float around about his potential successors.

I won't tell you which name is being mentioned most frequently. But you might say-- if you enjoy gallows humor-- that his appointment would be "nothing short of miraculous."

An appeal from our founder, Dr. Jeffrey Mirus:

Dear reader: If you found the information on this page helpful in your pursuit of a better Catholic life, please support our work with a donation. Your donation will help us reach seven million Truth-seeking readers worldwide this year. Thank you!

All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!

Just one day after Lowly Country Priest wondered if Rome could "really be that pleased with all the mess that was developed under Gregory's watch " he got the answer.
The Pope himself proclaimed what a good job the American bishops did in handling the contretemps.
We probably shouldn't blame the bishops as much as most of us in these environs do. Their boss is happy.

Posted by: Fr. William -
Dec. 10, 2004 1:19 AM ET USA

What saddens me most about Bishop Gregory's appointment to Atlanta is that it seems so political. Is the Holy Spirit being blocked by gravely misguided bishops? How did Cardinal McCarrick get one of his own teammates to Atlanta? Could Rome really be that pleased with all the mess that was developed under Gregory's watch (the charter, the recent USCCB "elections" etc.).
ie, Why not send Bishop Gregory off to a Carthusian monastery to offer Mass each day & do penance for the rest of his life.

Posted by: -
Dec. 09, 2004 10:16 PM ET USA

Perhaps the good parents in Atlanta need to gather up all their children under the age of 18 and ship them off to Egypt, or a current place of safety, until the new Catholic ruler in Atlanta passes. Isn't that biblical!

Posted by: AveMaria580 -
Dec. 09, 2004 9:14 PM ET USA

The state of the Catholic Church in the U.S. seems to get worse and worse.
Skylstad elected president of the USCCB right after Spokane files for bankruptcy. Gregory appointed archbishop after his fiasco as USCCB president during the sex abuse scandal. He couldn't hardly open his mouth without embarassing himself. And, Trautman head of the Liturgy committee to which he appointed Mahoney as a consultant. I keep wondering how it can get worse and they always think of something.

Posted by: Gil125 -
Dec. 09, 2004 5:47 PM ET USA

Did you have advance word, Phil? Or was this truly a prediction?
When you forecast something less than 24 hours in advance it looks as if maybe you had more than a rumor.
In any event, congratulations to you.
As to the appointment itself, I tend to concur with Dulcius ex Asperis.

Posted by: -
Dec. 08, 2004 10:16 PM ET USA

If this happens, I think it will be solid proof that the Pope never had any pastoral concern for the laity but was only the supreme clericalist enabling, even entrenching, a corrupt bureaucracy. In which case, I don't give a damn about any of his encyclicals or books or World Youth Days, because they don't mean anything next to his contemptible administration of the Church.